Did you manage to score a new Galaxy S III or Galaxy Note II for the holidays? Head on over to Facebook to register the phone with Samsung USA, and the company will thank you with quite the nice-sounding accessory package. Once you register your device, you should get an email from Samsung letting you know about the care package you can then claim. You'll get your pick of colors for a flip cover, which Samsung will ship to you for free along with half a dozen NFC TecTiles. For the icing on the cake, Samsung is also offering a coupon for half-off accessories for your phone bought through ...

While there are quite a few color options available for the Galaxy S III, so far the Note II has only come in gray and white. Don't count on any bright, bold colors for the phone anytime soon, but it looks like Samsung could be planning to at least offer one more neutral tone, with an image surfacing of the Note II in black. Swiss site AndroidSlash reports discovering the above press render of the black Note II, which we've got to admit is a pretty smart look for the phone. It looks like it would still have the textured look of the lighter shades, and of course Samsung's glossy coating. ...

All of the American carrier variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note II have received their multi-window update but AT&T flavors. This is about to change today as an over-the-air refresh will bring the functionality to Note II device on Ma Bell, according to the carrier itself. Multi-window functionality is the ability to place two supported applications side-by-side (or one on top of the other). AT&T "plans to begin rolling out a software update for Samsung Galaxy Note II customers that includes the Multi-Window feature, which allows the user to divide the screen into two active ...

It's that time again when we slowly need to get used to writing a new number when mentioning dates; luckily thanks to our smart devices we don't need to go out and look for a 2013 wallet calendar, unless we really want to. It's that time when we look back at what happened this year, with all the goods and bads, and anxiously look forward to what next year might bring. As usual here at Pocketnow we're happy to tell you what we think, and we're excitedly waiting to hear your opinions, in our upcoming series which will contain both 2012 recaps and 2013 predictions. We'll have something for ...

Recently, the good people at Samsung Mobile USA were kind enough to provide us with a spare Galaxy Note II for giveaway purposes, and a giveaway is just what we announced last week. We asked you to send in your answers to five trivia questions placed randomly throughout our articles and the Pocketnow Weekly podcast, and you responded en masse: nearly 700 of you weighed in with your responses to Galaxy Note II-based trivia questions asking about everything from hyperglaze to battery capacity. The logistics are now complete, the numbers have been drawn, and the revels are just beginning for ...

The Galaxy S III's barely old enough to warrant an After The Buzz episode, but we're already talking about the Galaxy S IV. In any other venue, that would be a sign of jumping the shark; on the Pocketnow Weekly, it's just business as usual. Tune in for our best speculation on what Samsung might include in its next sensational superphone, from unbreakable screens to bone conduction. Then keep on listening for an extended debate about the merits of Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 versus iOS, drilling down into their UIs and design philosophy. Finally, after some extended talk about how useful ...

"Top 10 Gadgets", that's how the column is named and Time magazine weighs in on the best of this year. The list includes two phones and one tablet; the number one spot is taken by a phone, and not just any phone: according to the magazine, the top gadget of 2012 is the Apple iPhone 5. The second phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note II, is taking the eight spot, just one position below the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT. Despite all the drama surrounding the iPhone 5 (shortages, build quality problems with initial models, mapping drama, etc.), Apple's latest phone is the best iPhone to date. ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we go through the possibility of an untethered Jailbreak to all of Apple's new iOS line-up. Then we talk about Samsung's CES 2013 event, and the new rumors discarding a smartphone to be announced at the event. Later HTC becomes news as we go through their new One SV smartphone for the UK. Our coverage is up next as we talk about Joe's video of CM 10.1 running on the Nexus 10, aside from all of our After The Buzz coverage. We end today's show with Larry Page's talk about Motorola and some possible Nexus plan. All this and more after the break. Stories: - iOS ...

Samsung's been busy preparing Android 4.1.2 updates lately; we just saw an early ROM leak for the company's Galaxy Note late last month. While the original Note has yet to see that update officially launch, owners of its successor can now start enjoying Android 4.1.2 themselves, with news coming in that the update's distribution has begun for some international versions of the Galaxy Note II. Both the regular international Galaxy Note II, model GT-N7100, and the LTE version, model GT-N7105, are seeing Android 4.1.2 updates arrive. Samsung lists a number of changes present in the update, ...

Samsung's Galaxy Note II continues to redefine the smartphone space. The phone/tablet hybrid achieved a 9 out of 10 in our comprehensive review, demonstrated excellent staying power in its recent After The Buzz appearance, and continues to sell well as we head into the holiday season. Now, thanks to the fine folks at Samsung, we have the opportunity to give one away. So that's just what we're going to do. If you've been dreaming of sticking an S Pen-enabled phablet in a loved one's stocking this holiday, but you'd like to avoid spending $600 in the process, this post contains everything ...

With the Galaxy Note II, Samsung has already achieved a sort of double-surprise success. The manufacturer has not only forced an Android-based smartphone/tablet hybrid into mainstream popularity; it's done it for the second time in two years. And this time around, it's not just featured on one national US carrier, but all four - and it's available in 128 countries at the time of this writing. How Samsung achieved this level of success with such an unusual product is no puzzle if you've read our full Galaxy Note II review. The device scored higher than almost any other smartphone we've ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about Android's probable 5.0 name that never was. Then the iPhone 5 returns to the news, though this time because it continues its pursuit for world domination. Microsoft may also be working on something highly urgent for SkyDrive according to some rumors. Then we go through the probable leaks of the HTC Titan III. We end today's show talking about a good amount of Samsung products to be launched after this holiday season. All this and more after the break. Links - Android Key Lime Pie Still Not Confirmed As Google Employee Teases Us - iPhone 5 ...

Late last month, we saw some evidence that Samsung might be working on a new entry for its Note series of stylus-based Androids, appearing as model GT-N5100 in some regulatory documents and a User Agent Profile. While we didn't have much info on the hardware itself, that model number, and specifically the letter "N" there, suggested that this would be a Note. After all, existing Note hardware has been in the N7000 or N8000 series. Now that model shows up again, this time with some benchmark results, and sheds a little more light on just what it might be. While the 5100's UAProf reported ...

We just heard a little about rumored Samsung hardware overnight, and now we're ready to follow that up with a whole new pack of Samsung rumors, including one looking to the arrival of Galaxy S IV. There's already been some talk about the GS4 moving up to a a five-inch screen, and one that's 1080p, at that. While this source hasn't been able to confirm just what hardware Samsung may have in mind for the phone, he did offer a codename for the handset: Project J. He also adds that Samsung is aiming to introduce Project J/the Galaxy S IV sometime in April. While the Galaxy S IV will no doubt ...

The Samsung Galaxy Note II on Verizon -- whether you like the branded home button or not -- has been available for purchase since November 29, going for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Those who already purchased one (or are considering to grab their unit soon) will be happy to find out that there's a root solution for the phablet. Those who had Samsung Android phones in the past are most likely familiar with Odin. You'll need the software bit for this procedure too but that shouldn't scare you off if you understand the risks. Following the source link below you'll get all ...

SwiftKey is one of the most popular alternative keyboards around, and for good reason; we've had some great experiences with its ability to predict what we're typing. If you already like SwiftKey, you should be excited to learn that the next big feature is right around the corner, with beta testing about to begin for SwiftKey Flow. The company just sent out some reminders to interested testers to let them know that the beta is nearly ready to get started, but new owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note II on Verizon have been noticing that their new phones seem to already have SwiftKey Flow ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we go through the recent changes to Google Drive, which do matter for most of us. Then we talk about the Galaxy Note II and its appearance in Verizon's network. Microsoft later shows us their ugliest application yet with the Outlook.com service for Android. Then we continue with Microsoft, though this time we talk about Windows Phone 7.8 and it's promised release season, because as always, they didn't include specific dates. We end today's show talking about Steve Ballmer's recent chat regarding Windows Phone 8 sales, which are apparently better, even ...

Samsung's Galaxy Note II may still be a new Android, but it's already a big hit with customers. We've heard some impressive sales figures, including the recent update that the Note II has already sold some five million units. That's all the more impressive when you consider that the Note II hasn't even finished rolling-out yet, and there are still millions of potential buyers who have yet to get the opportunity to purchase the handset. While we've already seen the phone hit a number of US carriers, Verizon's been lagging behind; that's all about to change, as the carrier has just announced ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about the Nexus 4, our review, and just how tough ordering it again was today. Then we go through Android 4.2.1 and what to expect, which isn't much. Then Amazon takes the spotlight due to their cheap sales on the Samsung Galaxy Note II after Black Friday. We then talk about Apple and their apparent dismissal of their iOS 6 Maps person-in-charge. We end today's show by talking about the new rumors of an Amazon and a Microsoft phone. Links: - Nexus 4 Review - Nexus 4 Sales Returning To Google Play Store Today - Google Pushes Out Android 4.2.1 Jelly ...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may now be in the past, but that doesn't mean the deals have all packed-up and left. Some of the offers we shared with you, like T-Mobile's various discounts on Samsung phones, will continue to be good into December. Today we caught wind of a sale going on over at Amazon, and if you've got any spending money left after the big retail weekend, it might be worth taking a look. Amazon has the Samsung Galaxy Note II for AT&T at just under $175 for new customers on-contract. If you're already a subscriber who's just looking to upgrade, you'll end up paying ...

With 2012 rapidly running low on remaining days (only 35 to go), you had better believe that you're about to start seeing a ton of year-end lists everywhere you go online. We'll be having a number of such posts in the coming weeks, as we think back on what 2012 meant for smartphones and tablets, but I though I'd start things off early by recounting some of the biggest blunders of the year. Everyone's experience with smartphones is different; maybe you've been especially upset with your carrier for not being timely with the updates you were expecting, or perhaps you had a particularly hard ...

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we go through the recent news of the Samsung Galaxy Note II and its staggering sales figures. We then talk about the ATIV S Windows Phone and how much longer we'll have to wait for it. LG made the news again with a possible Optimus G2 and its 1080p display for 2013. Then we talk about Apple's sales results this holiday season, which continue to surprise. We end today's show talking about Microsoft, the possibility of an Apollo+ Windows Phone 8 upgrade along with the bad news of no specific date for the Windows Phone 7.8 upgrade. Links: - Microsoft Working ...

From the moment it was introduced until the beginning of November when we heard official numbers, Samsung has managed to sell three million Galaxy Note II devices around the world. The phablet made its way to American carriers -- thankfully in the quad-core flavor -- and it definitely benefited from the huge marketing push Samsung has been doing recently. Fast forward to today and Samsung is letting everyone know that the company managed to sell five million units of its flagship phablet. Even if the three million number we've heard at the beginning of the month counted sales until ...

It's nearly here: Black Friday. That horrendous questionable "holiday" tradition wherein hundreds of thousands of Americans, fresh from giving thanks for their blessings and good fortune over massive piles of food, flood the streets to acquire more (material) blessings by spending as little of their good fortune as possible. Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year for a very good reason: retailer discounts are often outrageous, and locations open absurdly early on this day-long celebration of unbridled capitalism. The media has a field day covering these early-morning ...

Cyber Monday Update: We mentioned quite a few Cyber Monday deals last week, like AT&T's basically free-on-contract HTC One X (sadly, not plus) or Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. Beyond that GS2, Samsung's got a few additional offers mentioned on its Facebook page, including savings on a second Samsung device when you buy one through AT&T, and don't forget that those Samsung T-Mobile deals we talked about are still good, including a $100 16GB Galaxy S III. Thanksgiving is now upon us, for those of you living in the US, at least, while for today that means turkey, uncomfortable ...